Netflix planning brief clips for mobile users


Netflix is reportedly looking to introduce a series of brief video snippets aimed at mobile users.


For millions of people, Netflix is the primary way of streaming TV and movie content. But most of those users tend to be tucked up on their sofas, with a stable broadband connection, and with at least an hour to burn.


Of course, smartphone users have access to the Netflix app, and such viewership represents the largest area of growth for the company. However, Netflix has found that 87 percent of all mobile sessions on the service last less than 10 minutes.


Netflix doesn't currently feature any content with that brief a run time, and watching a two hour film in 24 five minute instalments is never ideal.


Netflix recognises this, and as reported by Gigaom, it's doing something about it.


At an event held at Netflix’s Los Gatos headquarters, design manager Dantley Davis revealed that the company is considering adding two to five-minute-long video clips to its catalogue designed specifically for quick mobile viewing.


This content wouldn't be specifically created content, but rather would be formed of scenes and snippets lifted from existing long-form films, TV shows, and stand-up rounties already available on the Netflix service.


The company is said to be in the process of testing such bite-sized content right now, which could ship under the homescreen category of "Have five minutes?"


This short-form content could be made available when the company relaunches its mobile apps over the coming months - especially as Davis has reported "very positive results" from these early tests.


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